‘I know drinking vegetable juice is good for me, but I’m just too busy,’ says Georgie, a 40 year-old mother of three-year old twins. ‘I don’t have time to go to a juice bar and besides, they’re expensive.

And as for cleaning a juicer every day—forget it!’

Georgie’s right—and wrong. Drinking green vegetable juice daily is a great way to detox, replace that nasty mid-afternoon snack and boost your diet with all-natural vitamins and minerals. But it doesn’t have to be hard. There is an easy way to benefit from vegetable juice—green vegetable powders.

What are green powders?

Green powders are naturally grown green leafy plants that have been dehydrated. To add green vegetable nutrition to your diet, simply mix 1 teaspoon in juice or water. Any green food can be dried and powdered, but the ones most common recommended by naturopaths and nutritionists are barley grass, wheat grass, chlorella and spirulina.

Barley grass and wheat grass

Barley grass and wheat grass powders are made from the leaves of young barley and wheat plants. You might have seen trays of wheat grass growing at your local health food store or juice bar; now you can enjoy the same health benefits at home.

The bright green colour of these powders is caused by chlorophyll, a natural blood cleanser and immune system booster. Contrary to popular belief, barley and wheat grass powders don’t contain gluten, so they’re perfect for people on wheat- or gluten-free diets. They do contain antioxidants, B vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital for a healthy diet.

Chlorella and spirulina

Sea vegetables, too, are a terrific way to ‘drink your greens’. Chlorella is a fresh water algae that contains a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and enzymes, and is 60% protein. It’s a powerful detoxifier ideal for cleansing and rejuvenating the body.

Spirulina is also an algae, and is a rich source of B-group vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E, iron, manganese, zinc, enzymes and essential amino acids. Spirulina is often regarded as the perfect nutritional food source, and is ideal for people of all ages.

Just like barley and wheat grass powders, organic chlorella and spirulina powders are now available from your health food store or pharmacy.

Mixed in water or fruit juice, organic green powders take the hard work out of juicing!

Toni Jordan B.Sc. Dip. A. AACNEM is a Melbourne-based freelance and corporate writer, trainer and consultant to the health food industry.